Page 8 - Mordenkainen's Tome Of Foes

vading demons. Also, the prospect of a permanent death LEGIONS OF THE DA MNED
compels the devils fighting on Avernus to maintain the
Most of the forces of the Nine Hells are grouped into
utmost readiness and coordination. Wounded devils three types of legions that each play a role in repelling the
retreat, knowing that fresh reinforcements can continue invading demons. Incompetent or weak devils fill out the
the fight. Hordes of lemures, devils that are permanently dreg legions, composed mainly of hordes of lemures and
destroyed only if subjected to holy energies, are used nupperibos. They are deployed as a delaying tactic, serving
to blunt demonic incursions. The terrain of Avernus is as fodder to slow down an advancing horde of demons
thoroughly mapped and festooned with ambush points, while sword legions organize their counterattacks and
shield legions establish their defenses. Each legion within
strongholds, and other defensive measures.
a category has a distinctive, fearsome-sounding name in
More important, demons that are slain and sent back
the Infernal tongue. When translated into Common, these
to the Abyss return to their chaotic wanderings in that
names are often descriptive of the legion's status or bat-
realm. A demon lord is thus hard pressed to keep a
tle-worthiness, such as the ones given below.
horde cohesive as it takes casualties. If the devils ex- Dreg Legions. Bugs in the System, Momentary Lapse of
tended a tenacious defense out to the planes beyond Progress, Casualties Imminent, Last in Line for Healing,
Avernus, they could keep the demons away from Hell's Not Worth the Effort
doorstep, but such a strategy would place a great strain Shield Legions. Moment of Silence, Welcome to the
on supplies, reinforcements, and unit integrity. Although Hells, Pleased to Meet You, Front toward Enemy, End
of the Line
the devils kmed in such places would recover, their
Sword Legions. Flawless Execution, Damned Good, The
weapons, armor, and other materials would remain lost.
Hanging Blade, Inevitable Outcome, A Taste for Carnage
THE DEVILISH POINT OF VIEW
To the devils' way of thinking, the Nine Hells are the
MY LEGIONS ARE THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN front line in the demons' war against all of creation,
yow· precious Seven Heavens and the bottomless hunger and the fate of the cosmos depends on the devils' abil-
ity to blunt the invasion and send the demons back to
of the Abyss. I did not fall into the clutches of evil. I rose to
the Abyss.
shoulder a cosmic burden.
In fact, devils believe that the demons would have long
-Zariel, Archduchess of Avernus, ago swept across the multiverse but for the unflinching
rule of law that underlies the actions of the infernal lead-
former angel of Celestia
ers and their armies. If necessary, a general must not
hesitate to sacrifice entire legions to stall an enemy ad-
Although the basic facts of the Blood War aren't subject
vance or punch a hole through an enemy phalanx. Iron
to debate, a host of theories exist that attempt to explain
discipline combined with a ruthless focus on victory at
why the conflict erupted in the first place.
any cost is what fuels the devils' war machine.
The devils fight as a matter of pride mixed with burn-
Every devil takes a grim pride in its service in the
ing resentment for a cosmic order that refuses to ac-
Blood War. Talk to one for a short time, and it will reveal
knowledge their role as overseers of the multiverse.
CHAPTER 1 I THE BLOOD W.\R
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